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The Sunday Strays motorcycle group is coming to Boone

A group of dog-loving Harley enthusiasts have formed a club in Central Iowa for one purpose - to combine their passion for riding motorcycles with the desire to help animals in need.

The “Sunday Strays,” based out of the Marshalltown area, are making monthly rides this summer in an effort to raise money for shelter dogs in need. The group has made three runs this summer to Oskaloosa, Monticello and Charles City, and now plans to travel to Boone on Aug. 17 to host a fourth outing at Toby K’s Hide Away. All proceeds raised that day will benefit the Boone County Humane Society.

According to group co-organizer Missy Pieters, each monthly ride will benefit the animal shelter in the selected destination area.

“Our Harley friends got together one night and started brainstorming ways we could make our outings more meaningful,” Pieters said. “We’ve done other benefits in the past like one day poker runs, but we wanted to do something this year that would help more than just one shelter.”

According to Pieters, the group decided to offer a “buy-in” which consisted of a one-time $10 donation. In turn, the rider received a punch card, which will be entered in an end-of-the-year drawing for prizes. Half of the $10 fee was placed in a fund for the animals and the other half went in a prize fund for the riders. The club has also asked each bar or restaurant on the schedule to offer a food or drink special with a portion of the proceeds to be given to the animal in need. There will also be raffle prizes the day of each event and the group will seek donations to reach the goal for the particular animal in need.

To date, the club has sold nearly 80 passes and hopes to break the 100 mark before the next ride to Boone. Anyone is welcome to join and the club is hoping to attract new members in Boone County.

“Even if you are not a Harley person, you can still join us at Toby K’s,” Pieters said.

The group has raised more than $1,000 thus far, and hopes to continue their fundraising success for Boone’s trip.

Toby K’s Hide Away will host the riders Aug. 17, beginning at approximately 11 a.m. and will offer a food or drink special that day. There will also be a special raffle prize given away that day.